Depression: You're not alone, let's talk about it

Sometimes we see people who seem very happy and successful on the outside, but on the inside they are hiding a lot of sadness and pressure. Maybe you have felt the same way. This kind of holding in sadness and pretending to be happy on the outside can often be a symptom of a medical condition called depression.

What exactly is depression?

Simply put, depression is not just a feeling of sadness. It is not something that goes away after a while. Depression is a medical condition that affects the chemistry of our brain and requires treatment . Just like diabetes or high blood pressure, it can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, occupation, or social status.

Imagine, a strong, courageous person like a police officer. He volunteers for every task, helps others. He appears to be a very strong character on the outside. But when he comes home, he is in a big battle with himself. He feels like a failure, gets angry with his family for no reason, and cries for hours alone. Many people who put on such a 'strong' facade, especially men, are ashamed and afraid to talk about the sadness and pressure they feel. They think it is a sign of weakness.

Are these symptoms familiar to you?

There are several common symptoms that come with depression. If you have one or more of these symptoms that last for more than two weeks, it's important to get them checked out.

How does this situation affect the workplace?

If you are a working person, depression can also affect your work.

• Loss of interest in going to work, reporting to work late.
• Loss of joy in one's work.
• Inability to do the job properly, reduced efficiency.
• Feeling sleepy while working.
• Trying to stay away from others and be alone.

Don't be afraid to get help: What should we do?

If you think you have these symptoms, please don't suffer alone. Asking for help is empowering. Here are some things you can do.

1. See your doctor first.

This is the most important and first step. The symptoms you are experiencing may be caused by another physical condition. For example, conditions like thyroid problems or low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can also cause symptoms similar to depression. So, first, see your family doctor for a complete checkup. He or she can diagnose exactly what you have and provide the necessary guidance.

2. Referral to a mental health specialist

If your doctor examines you and suspects that you have depression, he or she will refer you to a mental health specialist (Psychiatrist) . Or, he or she may recommend that you see a psychologist. There is no reason to be afraid of this. They are people who have received special training in this field.

• Treatment: There are very effective treatments for depression. Medications (Antidepressants), psychotherapy and counseling (Psychotherapy and Counseling) are the main ones. In some severe cases, other treatments such as ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy) can also be used. These are now very safe treatments, performed under modern technology.

3. Maintain a healthy lifestyle

While undergoing treatment, making small changes to your lifestyle can greatly help the healing process.

• Eat a balanced diet .
• Exercise daily as much as possible. Even just walking for 30 minutes is a big deal.
• No matter how much you feel lonely, try to spend some time with friends and family . Being social is good for you. If you force yourself to get out, you'll start to feel better soon.